Second chance for Ayew to win African best player

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Black Stars midfielder, Andre Ayew has been handed a second chance to win the prestigious Confederation of African (CAF) Player of the Year award. Ayew, 22, was named in the five-man shortlist for the prestigious individual honour in African football during the unveiling ceremony in Accra. The Olympique Marseille midfielder, who missed out on the award narrowly last year and hoping to follow his father, Abedi Ayew, who won the crown in 1993 faces stiff opposition from 2011 winner, Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire and compatriot Didier Drogba; Senegalese Demba Ba and Alexander Song of Cameroon. It is the second successive shortlist for the left-footed player for the coveted prize. He placed third behind Toure and Malian Seydou Keita last year. The nominees were made public on Friday by Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) at a press conference organized by CAF in partnership with telecommunication giants, Globacom, sponsors of the annual event. The top five were decided by votes from the head coaches or technical directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF. Nyantakyi, also a member of the CAF Executive Committee said Ghana was delighted to host the annual event once again and promised their support to make the event a success. Mohamed Aboutreika (Egypt) and Zambian duo Rainford Kalaba and Stoppila Sunzu are the top three for the African Player of the Year award (Based in Africa). On his part, Patrick Awotwe, Head of Business at Globacom reiterated his outfit’s commitment to the development of football on the continent citing sponsorships of the Black Stars, Ghana Premier League, Super Eagles of Nigeria and amongst others. The winners will be unveiled at a Awards Gala to be held on December 20, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra. It will be fourth time after 2006, 2009 and 2011 that the event will be staged in the Ghanaian capital. GNA... Read Full Story